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1983 Map of Altuda

Name: 1983 Topographic Map of Altuda
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

The Southern Pacific railroad line cuts a definitive diagonal through this West Texas landscape, serving as the primary corridor for the small settlement at Altuda. In the early 1980s, this area of Brewster County remained dominated by ranching interests, evidenced by the presence of Altuda Ranch and Spicewood Ranch. The topography is defined by the impressive rise of Cathedral Mountain and the Del Norte Mountains, where the arid terrain is intermittently marked by drainage features like Emerson Draw and Stroud Draw.

Functional landmarks of the era include Landing Strips and a Gravel Pit, reflecting the infrastructure required for remote ranch operations and transportation. Rare water sources like Red Haw Spring and various tanks provide vital points of interest for those studying the historical land use of this high-desert environment. The map captures a moment when traditional ranching life and rail-side commerce remained the primary footprint in this part of the Trans-Pecos.